Nation facts for kids
A nation is a large group of people who share many things in common. This can include their culture (like traditions and ways of life), their history, their language, or their ethnic background. Sometimes, a nation is simply described as all the people living in the same country and sharing a government.
The word nation comes from an old Latin word. It means "birth" or "place of birth." The word we use to describe something related to a nation is national.
Some nations are formed around a special belief. For example, Vatican City is a nation linked to the Catholic faith. Other nations are based on a shared ethnic group, like Armenia. Some nations are built around a big idea, such as Democracy in the United States or a shared system like in China.
Sometimes, a nation is held together by a small group of people who have all the power, like in Saudi Arabia. They use their power to keep the nation united.
Many nations combine these ideas. Most nations have a constitution. This is a very important document that clearly explains what powers the leaders have. It also describes how new laws must be made. Other nations might be led by a single person, like a King or a Pope. Some, like the United Kingdom, follow long-standing traditions instead of a single written constitution.
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In Spanish: Nación para niños
